CORAL CABLES, Fla. — This is the absolute best-case scenario for Michigan State.

Gary Harris and Travis Trice don’t look like they’ve missed a beat coming back from injury.

Both have hit 3-pointers, back-to-back, no less. Harris has five rebounds, unafraid to mix it up inside. And, the most promising sign, his dive on the floor after a loose ball late in the first half. He didn’t seem to hesitate or hold back.

Spartans lead Miami 31-27. They’d be trailing if not for this pair.

Keith Appling got six minutes of rest and you’re starting to see the makings of an ideal rotation — though one that barely includes Russell Byrd.

Byrd played a team-low 2 minutes in the first half, missing his only 3-point attempt.

Right now, this is not a very good basketball team and I think that Izzo knows this more than anyone. At present we have no pure scorers other than maybe Appling and he’s too much of a ball distributor to make a difference. Making the Big Dance this year is no guarantee by any means as this is looking like a .500 year at best in conference play. I see Izzo playing the youngsters as much as possible to build for next year and beyond as, unless the freshman exceed all expectations this year, we’re going nowhere this year.

About this blog

Graham Couch@Graham_CouchBorn and bred in Lansing, Graham Couch returned to his hometown in September to be the LSJ's sports columnist. He's covered Michigan State since January, after nearly a decade covering Western Michigan University and the Freeport (Ill.) Pretzels.